Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Professor Layton franchise.
Chapter 31 Positive Outlooks
They finally found out the truth. They finally understood what the relics truly did to the recipients. They finally knew for sure...Emmy had made a mistake. The trip back to Nemhat was silent. None of the passengers knew what to say. They were all lost in thought, thinking about what to do next and how to help their friend. Emmy had taken a seat in the back. She wished to be left alone.
Her heart constrained when she thought about the loss of her senses. It scared her. The sands of the desert sped by, all becoming a blur in her vision. She wasn't even sure anymore if it was because of the deterianton of her eyes, or if it was normal. She wasn't sure of anything anymore. She hugged herself tight, afraid of the future. What if they didn't succeed? What if the professor was right?
She turned to look at the back of his tophat. Surely he had some thoughts about all this as well. She was going to need to talk to him when they got back. About the urgency of this case. If he was half the man the princess described him to be, he would have to help her, right? Because that's what a gentleman does. She could only hope for the best.
After a few hours, they returned to Nemhat when the sun was still behind the mountains. The trip had taken longer than expected, mostly because of what happened to the princess. She had still not fully understood what had happened herself. The extent of her powers suddenly revealed. A fear had gripped her as well. There were so many living things around her. It was only a matter of time before she would get sucked in again. Who knew how much time would pass if she touched the patel from a flower, or the branch of her favourite tree. It was like she had unlocked some sort of new slot to her ability. Something which she hadn't tapped into. The bark that had attached to the top of her fingers still hadn't left. A small reminder of her new fear. The tired travellers walked back into the palace and grouped together in the dining area. They had to discuss what to do next. What the plan would be.
''I think I should tell my father about our findings. I also wish to ask him if he has made any progress with his own research about my great-grandmother.'' the princess said tiredly.
''Would you like me to come with you?'' Asim asked.
''Yes please. I'm not sure if I'm in the mood to handle him alone at the moment.''
She rubbed her eyes before pressing her fingers against her temples. They moved to the right into the hallway towards the king's chambers.
''Emmy,''
Emmy looked over to the professor, who had softly called out her name.
''Would you mind sparing some time before we retire for the day? I would like to speak with you alone.''
She nodded and followed him to the garden. It seemed like he had been thinking the same.
''Well, I'm gonna take a nap.'' Luke yawned to the remaining two guards, who quickly mimicked him.
They walked through the garden until the edge, where they marvelled at the rising sun. The city had slowly started to wake up, a few townspeople down on the streets getting ready for the day. The chilly morning air made them shiver slightly, their exhaustion probably not helping either.
''Are you doing alright?'' he asked.
She thought back to the car ride, where she had wondered what he was thinking. He had probably been worrying about her.
''I am. For now. It's...hard to put it into words to be perfectly honest. The idea that my senses will cease to work. I can't quite imagine it.''
''No, I can't either.''
He stayed still, a frown on his face, deep in thought. She stared at him, unsure what the old Emmy would say. What she would do.
''I'm glad you stopped me.'' he said in a hushed voice.
''What do you mean?''
He turned to look at her again.
''When I wanted to leave. I'm glad, you stopped me. I know now, that the decision you made was a mistake. That we should find out together how to get rid of this curse.''
''I guess you were still in doubt then. Before we discovered the descriptions.''
''I was. Do you resent me for that?'' he asked.
''Of course not.'' she said with a smile. ''I'm happy I was able to convince you. And I'm happy you turned around.''
They just looked at each other for a moment. The professor unsure if he should tell her more. If he should give in to his heart's desire. Emmy felt something stir in her when he looked at her like that. Admiration for his skills, fondness to be his friend...but there was something else. Something that made her heart flutter.
''We should probably get some rest.'' he chuckled.
''Yes...you're right.''
The sun was shining high in the sky, when the group slowly started waking up from their naps. Luke and the professor walked in the room where the rest had already reconvened for ''dinner''.
''Good afternoon sleepy heads.'' princess Farah said with a laugh when she saw their tired faces.
''Good mor…afternoon everyone.'' Luke returned, still half-asleep.
The professor settled for a gentlemanly tip of the ol' top hat. They joined the crew around the table and received a delicious looking meal.
''So, princess, how did the talk go with the king?'' Luke asked, while already stuffing his face with some pork meat, much to the professor's dismay, who was too tired to make a remark about it.
''Well...I have some news.'' the princess answered.
She had not looked up from her plate.
''Oh. Good news or…?'' Emmy asked.
''I'm not sure. My father kept to his word and investigated my great-grandmother's grave. Our suspicions were correct. The necklace has indeed attached itself to her body. Just like the ring.''
Emmy fumbled with the ring. The grip around her finger wasn't painful necessarily, but it wasn't pleasant either. Luke had suggested trying butter, but that joke fell flat almost instantly.
''Any news is good news I say. All the pieces of information we collect could help in the end. Towards our combined goal.''
The table turned to the optimistic professor.
''Don't you agree? I know the curse has brought about misfortune, but I believe we can do this.'' he continued.
''Wow professor, just yesterday you had almost no hope.'' Luke said with a half smile.
''Well, I suppose someone helped me understand that a negative mindset is not going to help us.''
He smiled at Emmy across the table, who returned the gesture.
''So, what now? We have no information on the third relic.'' Luke asked.
''I think I might be able to help with that.''
The group turned to look back into the building, where king Ruia stood with a grin plastered on his face.
''Father?'' the princess questioned.
''I have been doing some investigation during your time away,''- he said while approaching the table. -''For the last relic. You see, as I told you before during my retelling of King Metjen's story, a strange wanderer suddenly appeared with information on the relics of Thoth. He had ancient scriptures about old magic that could help the king at the time. I believe that these scriptures are the ones we have put together before. The one that Emmy brought along and the one we kept here, in our home.''
''So you're saying there are more?'' Luke asked.
''Yes. I believe there is information about the earring as well. I dug into our family's records and found something amazing! The tale of the wanderer.''
He sat down at the table and pulled a small sheet of papyrus out of his pocket. The professor could tell from the state of the paper, that it was several hundred years old. The king cleared his throat and began his reading.
''His magic seemed fake at first. A hoax to trick us. But nothing surprised me more than what he showed us. If I trust him, I might finally be able to do it. To convince her. He warned me of the consequences. Fear had caged the man and his family. I have promised him riches for the exchange. He will be honored in our kingdom forever.''
''It kind of sounds like King Metjen was writing in his diary.'' Emmy snickered.
''Ahem. So, the next part is a little bit obscured because of the time that has passed. I will skip to the next part.'' King Ruia continued. ''We have done it! She is wearing the gift as we speak. The khonshu is not telling me everything. He says he has to depart soon. I will send trackers to follow him. I wish to know all the secrets now.''
''Khonshu?'' Luke asked curiously.
''It's the Egyptian word for wanderer or traveller. I believe it is also another name for the god Khonsu, the god of time.'' the professor explained.
''Indeed.'' the king nodded to the professor. ''The final piece only reveals small parts, but this is where it gets interesting. One of the sentences ends with '...Family of Kamenwati, or face your destiny.', I think this is the name of the wanderers family. I asked Mahir to look into the name and it appears that they still exist!''
''So that means…'' Emmy started.
''That the family might still hold the secrets.'' the professor finished.
''And they might know how to relief the curse!'' Luke chipped in.
''Or where to find more information about the earring.'' the princess said.
Everyone got excited. They could move on. Even after all the bad news. Even after fear had gripped their heart. They had a lead.
''I have an idea how to get in contact with the family.'' the king said.
''And what is that father?''
''From what I understand, the family has been shunned and never invited to the palace after king Metjen. So my idea is...we throw another party!'' the king proposed with a cheer.
''What?'' Luke, Emmy, the princess and even Asim on the other side of the room said in response.
The professor just blinked in confusion.
''We invite the family over and see if we can ask them. They are probably not too keen on visiting us just like that. It would also be strange to just barge in and demand answers. A party will lighten the mood. Give them some alcohol. Who knows, they might agree to something that is quite ridiculous otherwise.''
He gave a stern look to his daughter who had started whistling inconspicuously.
''A party.'' Emmy whispered.
She thought back to the picture she found in her room. Where everyone seemed to have a good time. She glanced over to the professor and thought back to what Luke told her.
''...you wanted to pull the professor onto the dancefloor more.''
Maybe this could be an excuse to get some other answers.
The rest of the day was used to plan the party. Invitations were quickly made and spread out throughout town and to important families all over the country. It was going to receive some negative feedback since the previous celebration had been so close, but the king didn't care. His sole focus was to help his daughter and her friend.
The palace started preparing again for the party. The kitchen fired up to make the most delicious delicacies. The sandstone and marble walls were lined with beautiful light and strings. The open space cleared out for a live band and a place to dance and finally, the best liquor was imported from the finest breweries. They were going to try to impress the Kamenwati, even if it was the last thing they did.
The professor and the rest of the group helped along with as much as they could. Outfits were picked out and excitement bubbled into all of them. They also put together a plan to get the invited Kamenwati alone. They needed answers and they were going to get them.
Another party you ask? Well yes. Our heroes deserve some fun in between the angst and adventure don't they?